Swardeston’s EAPL title-retaining 2013 season was down to the real commitment and contribution of the players, the club’s annual general meeting heard.
EAPL Captain Mark Thomas told the meeting that only 14 players were used over 22 matches. It was a great team effort, but a few mentions were in order:
Peter Lambert had a superb season opening the batting, plus Jordi Taylor and Stephen Gray both had good summers with the bat. Michael Eccles led the bowling attack superbly and New Zealander Jono Sole, whose recruitment was perhaps a gamble, but was one that paid off as he fitted in so well and the Premier XI Captain thanked him for his contribution.
Chairman Mark Taylor reported that 2013 was another successful year for the club, with many great team and individual performances across all sides.
First of all, he congratulated Mark Thomas and the Premier XI for retaining the East Anglian Premier League (EAPL) and winning the Norfolk 20/20 Competition. They also had a superb run in the ECB National Club Championship, reaching the semi-final stage, he said.
The First XI secured promotion to the Premier Division of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance (NCA), whilst the A XI and Swardeston/CEYMS XI had more moderate seasons, partly reflecting player availability at certain times.
Mark stated that the junior section was buoyant and that he was particularly pleased that the club had fielded a Swardeston girls cricket team in three festivals last season. The club was planning to host a similar festival next season and would be appointing Katie Treutler as our new Girls Cricket Manager during the meeting.
The Chairman thanked some of the key contributors to the Club; Peter Thomas for dealing with team selection and availability over this, and many previous, seasons; David Thomas for organising another successful Stag Dinner; Kevin Denmark for invaluable assistance in obtaining grants; our main sponsor, The Parson Woodforde/Aquaterra, and the ongoing support from CEYMS.
Finally, Mark congratulated Callum Taylor, on the award of his Essex contract and being voted Norfolk Cricket Club Young Player of the Year, and Matthew Taylor for his England Under 17 selection, despite an injury-plagued season.
Officers elected at annual general meeting held at Swardeston CC on Wednesday 11 December 2013.
President Mrs R Thomas
Chairman Mark Taylor
Vice-Chairman Norman Bygrave
Secretary Lee Beadman
Treasurer Tony Bailey
Club Captain Peter Thomas
Premier XI Captain Mark Thomas
Premier XI Vice-Captain George Walker
1st XI Captain Ben Hogg
A XI Captain Nathan Taylor
Swardeston/CEYMS Manager Peter Thomas
Sunday XI Captain Ben Hogg/Lewis Denmark
Fixture Secretary Peter Thomas
Sponsorship Secretary Stuart Bartram
Director of Coaching David Thomas
Welfare Officer Peter Reynolds
Ladies Manager Katie Treutler
Communications Manager Lionel Levinson
Grants Manager Kevin Denmark
Club Committee Officers above, plus: Kevin Cooper; Dale Reynolds; Ben Shearing; Ian Tufts
Selection Committee Peter Thomas; Mark Thomas; George Walker; Ben Hogg; Nathan Taylor
Youth Cricket Manager Peter Thomas
Under 15s Manager Kevin Cooper
Under 13s Manager Tony Bailey
Under 11s Manager Tony Bailey
Under 9s Manager Lee Beadman
Groundsman Pat Hall
Scorers Norman Bygrave; Nigel Goddard; Mrs Lesley Croft; Mrs Claire Cranston
